As the 2011 Oscars approach, many are wondering if this year will be another boring ceremony, or will the Internet be set ablaze Monday morning with talks of the exciting show. Will Anne Hathaway and James Franco inject some life into the often dull Academy Awards? Although no one knows for sure, speculators claim the 2011 Oscars may be another “snorefest.”
The 83rd Academy Awards will air Sunday, Feb. 27, at 8 p.m. ET. While some are contemplating who will win the most Oscars, others are wondering if they are going to fall asleep during the ceremony. This year, the Academy Awards took a decidedly different route by asking James Franco, 32, and Anne Hathaway, 28, to host the ceremony. ABC noted that Franco and Hathaway’s ages combined are less than Steve Martin, 65, co-host of last year’s Oscars.
Hathaway and Franco spoke to “Good Morning America” recently about the upcoming Oscars. “Young and hip seemed to be the buzzwords that keep getting thrown around,” said Hathaway. Both Hathaway and Franco even admitted their reluctance to host the show. Younger hosts is definitely a plot to attract the younger demographic, but will it work?
The celebrity gossip site Deadline Hollywood claims to have gotten a hold of an annotated schedule for the 2011 Oscars, which included multiple wardrobe changes, “performance comedy” skits by Franco and Hathaway and a performance by Celine Dion for the In Memoriam segment. Celebrity Circuit on CBS claims, “Let’s face it: There have been a lot of Oscars telecasts that were just plain boring.” Even with the expected youthful vibe that the two young actors should bring to the show, Nikki Finke predicts it will be “yet another snorefest.”
Viewers aren’t sure what to expect either. Mark Knoller Tweeted “Anyone else think the Oscars should change their host on Sunday to Charlie Sheen. Now that would be worth watching.” The infamous funny woman Joan Rivers Tweeted “This Sunday, millions of people will tune in to watch the Oscars, and only two of them will laugh at Anne Hathaway’s jokes — her parents.”
Another key point that should not be overlooked: Many tune in to watch the Oscars just to see their favorite stars, not to watch the hosts tell jokes. This year, Natalie Portman’s portrayal of a crazed ballerina in “Black Swan” garnered a nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Many are excited to see if Portman will win the Oscar, and to see what she’s wearing. Others will be watching to see if “Exit Through the Gift Shop” director Banksy will truly show up in a monkey suit. His film is nominated for Best Documentary Feature. Rumor has it that Banksy was banned from attending the Oscars, but Academy Award president Tom Sherak told Deadline Hollywood, “that’s not true .”
Although some speculate that the 2011 Oscars will turn out to be a drag, the youthful vigor of hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco could add a whole new dimension to the Academy Awards, giving viewers plenty to talk about Monday morning. There is no doubt that Franco will look dapper and Hathaway will be elegant. You’ll have to tune in to find out who goes home the big winner.
Sources
CBS News staff, Deadline Hollywood predicts Oscar snorefest, CBS News
Finke, Nikki, SNOREFEST? OSCAR SHOW RUNDOWN: Exclusive Spoilers From Annotated Sked, Deadline Hollywood
Hopper, Jessica, Oscars 2011: James Franco and Anne Hathaway Talk About Hosting Hollywood ‘s Big Night, ABC News
Lavach, Renata, The Countdown to the Oscar’s Begins: Who Will Win the Most Academy Awards?, Associated Content
For more Oscar buzz, visit Oscars.yahoo.com.
